If someone tells you life is easy, they’re probably lying. If someone claims to have all the answers, they likely don’t.

These are just some of the simple truths about life.

But, there are other truths – often awkward ones, that we tend to dodge or run away from.

These uncomfortable realities can be hard to swallow, yet embracing them can be the key to a happy life.

Now, I’m in no position to tell you how to live your life.

But as someone who’s been around the sun a few more times, I’ve learned a thing or two about happiness.

Some of these might hit home harder than others. And that’s okay.

The idea isn’t to make you feel bad but rather to help you navigate the complexities of life with a bit more ease and hopefully, a lot more happiness.

Buckle up. This is going to be one enlightening ride!

1) Imperfection is a part of life

Life is a mess. And that’s okay.

We all have this image in our heads of how our life should be – perfect, without any flaws or mishaps.

But the truth is, life is anything but perfect.

It’s chaotic, unpredictable, and filled with mistakes and failures.

And guess what? That’s perfectly normal.

The sooner you embrace the fact that imperfection is a part of life, the sooner you can start to understand that it’s these very imperfections and mishaps that make life interesting and worth living.

They shape us into who we are, teaching us valuable lessons along the way, and giving us a chance to grow and become better versions of ourselves.

Instead of running away from your imperfections, embrace them.

They’re a part of you, a part of your journey.

And without them, life would be a lot less colorful.

Embracing your imperfections won’t always be easy, but it’s definitely an awkward truth worth acknowledging before your next birthday if you want to be happy in life.

2) Not everyone will like you

This one was a tough pill for me to swallow.

I remember back in my school days, I was always the one trying to fit in, trying to be liked by everyone.

I would often bend over backward, compromising my own values and interests just to be accepted.

But over time, I realized that no matter what I did, there were always going to be people who just didn’t like me. And that’s perfectly okay.

The truth is, you can’t please everyone.

And trying to do so will only leave you drained and unhappy. It’s important to understand that everyone has different tastes, preferences, and opinions.

What matters most is not trying to win everyone over but finding those who appreciate you for who you truly are.

Being genuine and true to yourself will attract the right people into your life.

Before the candles on your next birthday cake are blown out, remember that it’s okay if not everyone likes you.

Embrace this awkward truth, and you’ll find yourself much happier in the long run.

3) You can’t control everything

Life is like a river, constantly flowing and changing direction.

No matter how hard you try, you can’t control its course.

You might think having a meticulously planned schedule or having every detail of your life under control will give you happiness, but that’s far from the truth.

Those who focus too much on control often end up feeling more stressed and less satisfied.

Why? Because life is unpredictable.

Things happen that are out of our control, and trying to micromanage every aspect of our lives can lead to frustration and disappointment.

What you can control, however, is how you react to these unforeseen circumstances.

Instead of resisting change, learn to adapt and grow from it.

It’s not the strongest or the most intelligent who survive, but those who can best manage change.

Embrace this awkward truth before your next birthday rolls around, and you’ll find yourself happier and more at peace with life’s unpredictability.

4) Failure is inevitable

Hate to break it to you, but at some point or another, you’re going to fail.

And let me tell you, it’s not as scary as it sounds.

In fact, failure is a necessary part of life. It’s through our failures that we learn the most valuable lessons.

They teach us resilience, humility, and the importance of perseverance.

It’s easy to view failure as a dead end, but in reality, it’s just a detour. A detour that often leads us to greater things.

The next time you find yourself failing at something, don’t beat yourself up about it.

Instead, see it as an opportunity for growth and self-improvement.

Embrace the awkward truth that failure is inevitable, and you’ll find that happiness isn’t about avoiding failure, but rather about learning and growing from it.

5) It’s okay to ask for help

I’ve always been of the mindset that I need to figure things out on my own.

That asking for help somehow made me weak or incompetent. But I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The truth is, we all need help sometimes.

Whether it’s a challenging work project, a personal issue, or just a jar we can’t quite open, it’s perfectly okay to ask for help.

In fact, asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness at all. It’s a sign of strength and wisdom.

It shows that you understand your limitations and are smart enough to seek assistance when necessary.

I’ve learned over time that it’s not just okay to ask for help, but it’s crucial for my happiness and well-being.

Before your next birthday, embrace the awkward truth that it’s okay to ask for help.

6) Alone time is essential

In a society that glorifies busyness and socializing, it’s easy to overlook the importance of spending time alone.

But here’s the thing – solitude can be incredibly beneficial for our mental health and happiness.

Spending time alone allows us to reconnect with ourselves, reflect on our thoughts and feelings, and recharge our mental batteries.

It’s during these quiet moments that we often come up with our best ideas, make important decisions, and gain clarity about our lives.

Before your next birthday, embrace the awkward truth that alone time is not just necessary, but it’s essential for your happiness.

Make it a point to carve out some “me” time in your schedule, no matter how busy life gets.

You’ll find that solitude isn’t lonely or boring, but rather a peaceful and fruitful journey into self-discovery.

7) Happiness is a choice

Here’s a hard truth – happiness isn’t something that just happens to us.

It’s not a result of external factors like wealth, success, or even relationships. It’s a choice.

Yes, you read that right. Happiness is a choice that we make every day.

It’s about choosing to see the good in every situation, choosing to be grateful for what we have, and choosing to focus on the positive aspects of life.

Don’t get me wrong, life can be tough and full of challenges.

But it’s how we choose to react to these challenges that determines our happiness.

Before your next birthday, make the conscious decision to choose happiness.

Embrace this awkward truth and you’ll find that happiness isn’t something you chase, but rather something you cultivate within yourself.

8) You are enough

In a world that constantly tells us we need to be more, do more, and achieve more, it’s easy to feel like we’re not enough.

But here’s the truth – you are enough. Just as you are, right at this very moment.

You don’t need to be smarter, prettier, richer, or more successful to be happy in life.

You deserve happiness and love simply because you exist.

Before your next birthday, embrace this awkward truth.

Understand that you are enough and that your worth isn’t defined by external factors.

Accepting yourself as you are is the first step towards genuine happiness.

Because in the end, it’s not about becoming a better version of yourself, but rather realizing that the best version of you has been there all along.

Embracing the awkwardness

If you’ve come this far, I hope you’ve realized that these truths, as awkward as they may be, are essential to embrace for a happier life.

These aren’t just random life hacks or quick fixes.

These are deep truths about life, about ourselves, that we often overlook or avoid because they’re uncomfortable.

But it’s in this discomfort that we find growth and happiness.

Life isn’t about avoiding the awkward.

It’s about embracing it, learning from it, and growing through it.

As your next birthday approaches, remember these awkward truths.

They might not transform your life overnight, but they will slowly but surely guide you towards a happier and more fulfilled life.

After all, as Mandy Hale once said, “Happiness is an inside job. Don’t assign anyone else that much power over your life.”

Here’s to embracing the awkward and finding happiness in the everyday.